Liberation Ale
Live Oak Brewing Company
- From:
- Live Oak Brewing Company
- Texas, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #2,825 - ABV:
- 6.3%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #23,133 - Avg:
- 3.87 | pDev: 9.04%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 58
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 28, 2025
- Added:
- Oct 15, 2003
- Wants:
- 10
- Gots:
- 22
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Generously infused with Columbus and Cascade hops, this ale balances firm bitterness with a solid malt body and massive hop flavor and aroma. Warm fermentation with ale yeast contributes subtle fruity flavors and a satisfying dryness. Another addition of hops at the end of fermentation imparts more citrus aroma reminiscent of Texas Ruby Red grapefruit. Enjoy this classically styled American IPA.
50 IBU
50 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.6/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
RB transfer
Oct 28, 2025
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.53/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Here's a beer I've had both a 6 pack of and on tap. Both versions pretty much identical, its a heavy C malted C hopped beer of yesteryear. I can't believe the animosity these days to imperial red ales but anyhoo, this isn't that, although its close.
Pours a dark amber color. This ain't one of those super minimal pils malt double ipas, its a Sierra Nevada like throwback to the "balanced" ipa days that had bigger ibu ranges. Beige/off white head, sticky, 1/2". Impressive appearance. The aroma was all that sticky caramel and bittering hops. Needle trees and grapefruit rind.
Mouthfeel is malt body heavy, I keep saying sticky, but the backend is more brisk than the front. Still going all in on caramel, pine bark, grapefruit rind. Astringency. Its like a blend of SNPA and Celebration with all the C hops and heavy barley territory for something so hoppy.
Its plenty serviceable, but at the same time, one of my least favorite Live Oak offerings. Definitely prefer their lighter lager and other stuff compared to hoppy. But I get it, gotta keep the lights on and people want hoppy a lot of the times.
Mar 10, 2025Pours a dark amber color. This ain't one of those super minimal pils malt double ipas, its a Sierra Nevada like throwback to the "balanced" ipa days that had bigger ibu ranges. Beige/off white head, sticky, 1/2". Impressive appearance. The aroma was all that sticky caramel and bittering hops. Needle trees and grapefruit rind.
Mouthfeel is malt body heavy, I keep saying sticky, but the backend is more brisk than the front. Still going all in on caramel, pine bark, grapefruit rind. Astringency. Its like a blend of SNPA and Celebration with all the C hops and heavy barley territory for something so hoppy.
Its plenty serviceable, but at the same time, one of my least favorite Live Oak offerings. Definitely prefer their lighter lager and other stuff compared to hoppy. But I get it, gotta keep the lights on and people want hoppy a lot of the times.
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3/28/2023, at the brewery in Austin.
Beautiful thick head dissipated quickly, but left a nice thin layer of foam and thick lacing all around the edges of the glass. Deep amber in color.
Aromas are vegetal, skunk, malt, grapefruit.
Nice, light in the mouth. Not an overly complex flavor to overwhelm, so that what you do get is enjoyable. Slight bread, grapefruit, and pine. Beautiful lingering bitter finish.
Mar 28, 2023Beautiful thick head dissipated quickly, but left a nice thin layer of foam and thick lacing all around the edges of the glass. Deep amber in color.
Aromas are vegetal, skunk, malt, grapefruit.
Nice, light in the mouth. Not an overly complex flavor to overwhelm, so that what you do get is enjoyable. Slight bread, grapefruit, and pine. Beautiful lingering bitter finish.
Reviewed by SaltofOH from Ohio
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Draft. Pokal.
A: bright gold with an orange tint. Bright white head, moderate streaming carb.
S: some leafy, citrusy northwest hops.
T: lightly bitter, crisp, crackers malt arrival. Dark, leafy, floral, slightly dank in character. Mildly lingering bitterness.
M: lighter end of mid-weight, crisp, well carbonated.
O: a very crisp and traditional IPA. It's hot, and a little windy here in Austin, but
Sep 16, 2017A: bright gold with an orange tint. Bright white head, moderate streaming carb.
S: some leafy, citrusy northwest hops.
T: lightly bitter, crisp, crackers malt arrival. Dark, leafy, floral, slightly dank in character. Mildly lingering bitterness.
M: lighter end of mid-weight, crisp, well carbonated.
O: a very crisp and traditional IPA. It's hot, and a little windy here in Austin, but
Rated by MattSweatshirt from Texas
3.53/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Deep golden body with a persistent white head.
Pine, floral, and grapefruit hops and a lightly bready malt.
Medium body and bitterness.
Mar 29, 2016Pine, floral, and grapefruit hops and a lightly bready malt.
Medium body and bitterness.
Reviewed by imstimpy from Texas
3.54/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.54/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light amber, yellow-gold in color draft-poured into a frosty pint glass.
Subtle, flowery nose.
No heavy hop, citrus or bitterness; some of each though. It is not your traditional big american IPA, just a light, balanced, and easy to drink ale.
Medium to light feel with a decent finish.
I usually go for the big IPAs but this is a very safe and enjoyable selection.
Dec 19, 2015Subtle, flowery nose.
No heavy hop, citrus or bitterness; some of each though. It is not your traditional big american IPA, just a light, balanced, and easy to drink ale.
Medium to light feel with a decent finish.
I usually go for the big IPAs but this is a very safe and enjoyable selection.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!